Work schedule

[Alexandermac84]

Hello,

I’m a new member to this forum but I’ve read a bunch of topics before. I have a question regarding shift work and getting a bunny. I’ve had a rabbit before so it wouldn’t be my first in terms of care, feeding, maintenance and so on.

I work 12hour shifts as a paramedic and was seeing opinions or advice on if I should or shouldn’t get a bunny on my own. I had a rabbit with my previous partner but am now living alone. I work sporadic days where I will have 4 long days in a row but have 4 – 5 days off. I would ideally have a free roaming bunny after proper training.

Would the bunny be too lonely being alone for that long or is it an acceptable time frame for it to be alone? Obviously when I’d be home I would pay tons of play time and such.

Thanks!!

[Love4Bunny]

Hi, I think more experienced bunny owners could give you suggestions on how to work your schedule around bunnies, but if you’re considering getting one, why not adopt a bonded pair? I started out with one (and I’ve spent a LOT of time with mine), but decided to get a second because I felt a rabbit’s company would enrich his life, which it has. I couldn’t groom him 24/7, you know? I think most of us start with one rabbit, assuming it’s easier, and then we end up wanting a rabbit buddy, so we end up going through the fuss of bonding, realising it would’ve been easier to adopt a pair in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade either of my buns for the world, but I wanted to put that suggestion out there.

As a side note, my bunnies get antsy and destructive if I don’t let them out for sufficient run time during the day.

[RabbitPam]

Welcome
The most important thing for a bunny is a consistent routine. So if you have a 12 hour schedule, try to do the same things at the same times daily, whether you are there or not. Play together first thing as you get ready, then leave breakfast before you go. With a shift that long, I would suggest two sources of water – like two crocks in case one gets emptied or spills – and a very full hay bin. Bunny will graze slowly, so will get used to a later supper of greens if there is enough hay all shift. He will also sleep much of the day, so will be ready for play as soon as you get home.

I don,t know about free range all that time, though. Consider an extra large X-Pen, or maybe two clamped together for more space. Leave edible willow toys in it for play and chewing. Bunnies adapt pretty well, so if you do not alter the routine too much on your days off, he should be ok. A pair is an idea, but I am concerned that it would be harder to train two to adapt, at least at first. Bunnies make good working people pets because they will sleep when you aren’t there midday, so are not as lonely as you imagine. As long as you pay attention for a few hours morning and evening, it should be ok.

[Alexandermac84]

My shifts change from nights to days but I always either start or finish at 7 so consistency isnt a major road block.

I just don’t want to be selfish. If it isn’t fair to the bunny that I’m gone for those stretches then i wouldn’t get one as hard as that is.

But you guys seem to be saying that it’ll be ok and it’ll take some work but generally I should be ok.

Thanks guys!

[sunshinesocks]

I got 2 boys (brothers) who are really close because I regularly work those kinds of hours. They’re very sweet together and have the free range of the living room and staircase (they can’t be trusted any further!).

Best recommendation I can give is that when I leave for work I fill the living room with cardboard boxes, I always rearrange them so that they have to spend time exploring them and putting them back the way they want them and then I hide their breakfast all over the room.

This gives them something to do when I’m away. But I would feel bad if there was just one I think. But if you’re shifts go 12 hours either day or night 7 – 7pm//am then you should be able to give them a relatively stable schedule even if it is back to front for you?

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